Delhi police have uncovered a chilling murder in a Gandhi Vihar flat that initially looked like a tragic fire. Authorities say a 32‑year‑old UPSC aspirant, Ram Kesh Meena, was strangled and then set on fire by three men who tried to make the blaze look accidental. The suspects, all from Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh, were arrested after a thorough investigation that combined CCTV footage, mobile tracking and forensic analysis.
The incident came to light on Oct. 6 when firefighters responded to a call about a house fire in the Gandhi Vihar area. The blaze was put out, but police and forensic science laboratory (FSL) experts found a deeply charred body inside. Meena was later identified as a UPSC candidate who lived in the flat.
An initial complaint was filed under the fire‑related sections of the Building and Navigation Services (BNS) Act. However, CCTV footage soon raised red flags. Two masked men entered the building in the early hours and were followed by a woman and a man who left around 2:57 a.m.— just minutes before the fire started. The mobile location data of 21‑year‑old Amrita Chauhan matched the scene at that time, and she quickly became a prime suspect.
On Oct. 18, police raided her home in Moradabad and she confessed to the killings. She named her ex‑boyfriend, 27‑year‑old Sumit Kashyap, and his associate, 29‑year‑old Sandeep Kumar, as co‑conspirators. During questioning, Amrita admitted that she and Meena had been in a relationship and that she was furious after discovering he had recorded and stored explicit videos on a hard disk she had asked him to delete.
The trio allegedly used this knowledge to lure Meena into a fatal trap. Amrita, a forensic science student and an avid fan of crime dramas, detailed how they strangled him, poured oil, ghee and alcohol over the body, and then opened a gas cylinder regulator. A lighter was used to ignite the mixture, creating a fire that could have been mistaken for an accidental LPG explosion.
Police recovered the hard disk, a trolley bag and other personal items from the victim’s residence. Two additional mobile phones were seized during the raids. The forensic team has analysed the recovered digital evidence and is still working on linking all elements of the case.
North District Deputy Commissioner Raja Banthia said the investigation is now progressing with a solid forensic foundation. “All three accused are in custody and the hard disk, destroyed‑scene material and digital devices have been secured,” he told reporters. The police also highlighted that the alleged ‘accidental fire’ plan was foiled when investigators matched timelines, technical data and local intelligence.
This case draws attention to the growing problem of violence against aspiring civil servants and the lengths some will go to conceal a crime. Delhi police have committed to a thorough review of the digital evidence and will continue to pursue all leads. Meanwhile, the arrested men face serious charges that could result in lengthy prison terms if found guilty.
Source: ianslive
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